How To Get Scratches Out Of Sunglasses Without Spending A Penny

Summer is the perfect time to whip out the holiday wardrobe (remember those?), beautify your ankles in a pair of Chloé canvas sliders and dig deep into your handbag boxes to find your favourite pair of sunglasses.

Sadly, blissful ideas of having a well-preserved summer wardrobe from years gone by never seem to match reality, especially when you realise your favourite sandals have dust-coated scuffed heels, your go-to white top has since turned a murky grey hue, and your beloved shock shades are covered in tiny little scratches.

We don't know about you, but we don't think we've ever been able to keep a pair of sunglasses for longer than a summer, such is our habit of stuffing them in our handbags in a rush and dropping them in the park.

Investing in a designer pair of sunglasses has long been but a dream. Until now, that is.

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According to Toby Attridge, head of product develop at sunglasses brand Taylor Morris, we're not alone in our struggle to protect our sunglasses as he cites that poor storage is the main factor for scratched lenses.

'Far too many people just let sunglasses bash about in their bag or pocket and are then shocked when they get battered,' he tells ELLE UK. To prevent scratches he suggests: 'Keep them on your face or in a case.'

While protection is the first port of call, what do you do if your favourite peeper covers already have scratches on them?

Well, according to Specsavers there are a few dos and don'ts you should be aware of, especially if you're wondering how to get scratches out of sunglasses yourself.

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Contrary to several YouTube videos which advise users to apply toothpaste (given its micro-abrasive properties) to gently buff out shallow scratches from sunglasses, the optical retail chain warns that there might be downsides to the DIY practice.

'You can end up causing more damage to your lenses in the process,' Specsavers explains on its website. 'Abrasive chemicals within toothpastes can scratch the glasses’ lens surface and can cause more damage by eroding away any specialist lens treatments, UV protection or sun tint.'

Similarly, the company warns wearers not to use baking soda as it can 'actually warp your lenses and erode away important lens treatments'.

'While home remedies may seem like quick fixes to a relatively small lens scratch, you actually run the risk of causing permanent damage to your lenses in the long run. So it’s best to visit your optician to have them checked by a professional,' it adds.

It might be impossible to repair a scratch on a lens for good, given that it's permanent damage, but you can use lens cleaning sprays - just like an optician would - to find out whether there is a scratch or something stuck onto the lens' surface.

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If in doubt over how to get scratches out of sunglasses, Specsavers and Taylor Morris advise sunglasses wearers to head into their local opticians to find out more about how to care for their summer accessory and receive adjustments to make sure they fit securely.